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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the UK’s financial watchdog, is set to tighten its grip on misleading cryptocurrency adverts. According to a press release, the new guidelines would see the regulator crack down on misinformation about high-risk crypto assets in the UK.
Your capital is in danger.
FCA to fight misleading cryptocurrency ads
The Financial Conduct Authority, a financial regulator in the UK, is introducing stricter guidelines. The idea is to fight against misleading cryptocurrency advertisements. The FCA is preparing to step up its efforts to combat deceptive marketing in the cryptocurrency industry. According to a press release, the regulator will apply the new rules in the UK. Instead, they will crack down on fake news about high-risk crypto assets.
The new regulations require companies to provide “clearer and more visible risk warnings” and prohibit them from offering investment incentives such as referral bonuses. This can help protect investors against losses. Additionally, companies that promote high-risk investments need to conduct more thorough background checks to ensure investors and clients are suitable.
UK regulator bans false advertising
Regulators around the world have expressed concern about the spread of false information about volatile assets such as cryptocurrencies. Against this backdrop, the UK government has attempted to lay the legal groundwork for the cryptocurrency industry. As a result, the government has prioritized the promotion of crypto goods and services before moving on to other aspects of regulation.
The FCA is responsible for regulating the marketing of high-risk digital assets in the UK. However, the FCA is preparing to step up its efforts to combat deceptive marketing in the cryptocurrency industry. Lawmakers have yet to approve the new regulations, so the plan is still in its early stages. Upon approval, the FCA will publish its draft regulations on the promotion and marketing of crypto assets. Beginners and even professional investors continue to lose money because cryptocurrency is a high-risk investment. As a result, the new regulations require brokers who provide digital financial goods to have expertise in their respective fields to promote their offerings.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said certain investment inducements will be banned to attract more customers. Additionally, the FCA will prohibit welcome bonuses and referral bonuses. Meanwhile, the FCA wants cryptocurrency companies to be more open about the potential financial risks associated with their products. As a result, consumers can buy cryptocurrencies in the UK. The FCA focuses on preventing terrorism and money laundering while regulating trading in crypto assets. Before a crypto company does business in Britain, it must register with the financial watchdog.
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- First Fantasy Sports metaverse game
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- Battleinfinity.io roadmap and whitepaper


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While the KEY2 release includes a new camera and a tweaked QWERTY keyboard, it is clear that TCL is seeking to encourage business users, who once fuelled BlackBerry smartphones' success, by delivering improved security and privacy in an Android phone.
Additionally, the KEY2 features a first for any BlackBerry-branded device: a dual rear-camera setup.
The gadget has a 4.5 inch IPS LCD display with a 1620*1080p resolution, 434ppi pixel density, an aspect ratio of 3:2 and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 level protection.
Keyboard has bigger keys with matte finish, and there's a new shortcut key.
Depending on how you feel about the physical keyboard, you've been looking forward to this day for a while: TCL just officially announced the BlackBerry Key2. As you'd expect, this adds a Portrait Mode, but the company is also promising Optical Superzoom, which captures multiple frames, reducing noise on zoomed photos.
Pricing for the device, which is available later this month, starts at $649.More news: Nearly 200 missing, 73 dead from Guatemala volcano
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Based on leaks, BlackBerry Key2 is not going to look too different from the original KeyOne which was launched in 2017.
According to Blass, the BlackBerry KEY2 will cost £579 at launch, an increase of £70 over the KEYone. The QWERTY still supports touch-gestures like scrolling and Flick Typing for predictive texting, as also 52 app shortcuts via short and long press. The rear camera is capable of shooting 4K videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at 60fps.
Last year's Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor and measly 3GB RAM have been replaced with a Snapdragon 660 and impressive 6GB RAM. The KEY2 also comes preloaded with a DTEK app that shows the phone's overall security rating and provides insight into how apps are using data, as well as managing app permissions. If you need additional storage, you can pop a microSD card into the KEY2.
Additionally, the device comes with Firefox Focus, a privacy browser by Mozilla that prevents web browsing sessions from being tracked.
We do know the price for the BlackBerry KEY2, though, which will be set at $649.
Other than that, there's relatively little changed to Android 8.1 Oreo, though the BlackBerry Hub and BlackBerry Launcher are included.

domain: news


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December 20, 2006 10:36 AM PST
Microsoft makes Zune Vista-friendly
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Microsoft on Tuesday released a software update that lets the Zune work with Windows Vista. Although Vista has yet to go on sale to consumers, the software has been available to businesses since last month, and many tech enthusiasts have been running test versions of Vista.
In addition to adding support for the new operating system, Microsoft said on its Zune Insider blog that the update "improves the Zune software installation process."
A Microsoft representative said the new software also includes updates, but Microsoft declined to elaborate on the nature of the security issues involved.
The lack of Vista compatibility has been one of several knocks on Microsoft's would-be iPod rival, which went on sale in November. Sales of the device were strong in its first week, but the device has since seen its place in the sales rankings dip.
Microsoft has said it is considering upping its advertising budget for the Zune.
1 commentJoin the conversation! Add your comment


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Twitter jumps after the company tells employees its deal with Elon Musk is still on and that it won't renegotiate the $54.20 takeover price
Twitter stock rose 3% Thursday after the company told employees its deal with Musk was not on hold.
Bloomberg reported the social-media company would not renegotiate its deal price of $54.20 a share.
Musk recently tweeted his Twitter deal was "on hold" as he looked into its number of fake accounts.
Twitter stock spiked as much as 3% on Thursday after Bloomberg reported that the social-media company told employees its deal to be acquired by Elon Musk was moving forward as planned.
That's despite several tweets from Musk over the past week saying he put the deal "on hold" as he assessed how many bot accounts were on the platform. Twitter says about 5% of its accounts are fake, while Musk says he believes that number is closer to 20%.
There is "no such thing as a deal being on hold," Twitter's top lawyer, Vijaya Gadde, told employees during the meeting with employees, according to Bloomberg. Additionally, Twitter said it wouldn't renegotiate on the deal price, $54.20 a share, or about $44 billion.
Musk could be getting cold feet, or he may want to lower the purchase price given that Tesla has erased more than $400 billion in market value amid the market slump. Musk has planned to put up more than $10 billion of his Tesla stake as collateral to obtain financing to buy Twitter.
If Musk walked away from the deal, which could be difficult because he signed a contract, he would owe Twitter $1 billion in breakup fees. Musk could be trying to avoid paying that breakup fee by saying Twitter has more bots on its platform than it originally said.
But Twitter seems firm in its stance that Musk is set to buy the company at the agreed-upon price. Twitter's chief financial officer, Ned Segal, told employees during the meeting that Twitter executives were still engaging with Musk and his team, working with them "regularly" to close the deal, according to Bloomberg's report.
While Twitter hasn't wavered in its goal to seal the deal, the stock market doesn't think it will happen, based on the large spread between the agreed-upon purchase price and what Twitter's stock trades for. On Thursday, shares were 30% below the $54.20 deal price.
Read the original article on Business Insider


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The official Twitter account for the free to play fighting title Brawlhalla had some big news to share today and that’s because they have announced that Rayman will be coming to the game. Rayman will make his debut in the fighting title on the 6th of November which is precisely when the game will launch on Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Rayman is coming to Brawlhalla on November 6th! pic.twitter.com/EbziS7Jy7Y
— Brawlhalla (@Brawlhalla) September 2, 2018
Thanks to Nintendo First Order Reaver for the news tip!


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CNPIEC - What does CNPIEC stand for? The Free Dictionary
References in periodicals archive
We will continue to broaden the cooperation with Wolters Kluwer's flagship brands in the near future," said Pang Lili, director of Books Department of CNPIEC
By the end of 2014, CNPIEC hopes to have more than 800 ebooks from Wolters Kluwer available across the legal and tax fields.
During the launch, Wolters Kluwer showed the pioneering advantages of e-books and CNPIEC introduced the functional features of CNPeReading.


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Activision has confirmed previous rumours that Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 will feature a battle royale mode.
Battle royale has been popularised in recent months by the likes of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite, and makes its Call of Duty debut in the shape of Blackout. It'll feature the biggest map that developer Treyarch has ever made, some 1,500 times larger than Nuketown.
Speaking during a live event for the upcoming first-person shooter, the game's Design Director, David Vonderhaar, said: 'For us to even consider this experience it had to be unique and done in the way that only Black Ops can do it.'
Blackout will attempt to differentiate itself from the competition by amping up the vehicle side of things, with air, land, and sea options available. Futuristic weapons will be making a comeback (it's set between the events of Black Ops 2 and 3, says Activision) and we're also promised class-based character customisation.
The battle royale mode seems to be an amalgamation of various Black Ops franchise staples, as it's been confirmed that familiar faces such as Jason Hudson, Alex Mason, and Viktor Reznov as well as elements plucked from the series' Zombies campaigns will be putting in an appearance.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is pencilled for release on PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One on October 12.


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In recent months, High Street spending has rocketed despite the gloomy international economic outlook - and analysts have warned that the growth is unsustainable.
Latest figures show consumer borrowing from the big banks topped £1bn in November, an unprecedented figure for that month, as Britons bought more on credit and failed to pay it off. That amount is sure to be topped by December's figure as Christmas and New Year spending reached its peak.
Britain's huge consumer debt now threatens the country's economic stability. At the same time, personal loans from banks reached a six-month high in November, with £634m in new lending, taking the total outstanding to £48,277million.
The figures, from the British Bankers' Association, also show no let-up in mortgage lending, with banks handing out more than £4bn in new home loans, with an average figure of £79,200.
The Financial Services Authority has raised the spectre of a repeat of the early 1990s recession, which stemmed largely from families running up debts and being unable to cope with the repayments.
Sir Edward told the BBC: 'Consumer demand will have to moderate, I think there's a good possibility that it will begin to moderate of its own accord. When I say moderate I don't mean it falls off a cliff, but it slows down and that would be the most desirable outcome. But we may have to actually act if it doesn't happen of its own accord and that's when we would be putting up interest rates.'Reuse content


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Computer users have been conditioned over the last few years to recognize and avoid many of the more common scams and threats on the Internet: email viruses, phishing, spam, Nigerian 419 ploys and work-at-home money-mule schemes. You know that an email promising funny pictures of Britney Spears is probably more likely to install malware on your machine than to brighten up your day with more of Britney’s zany antics.
But as much progress as we’ve made in educating users about online threats, there are some newer scams out there that take advantage of the fact that users have been trained to pay attention to the security software on their PCs and do it what it tells them. Known as scareware, these scams are designed to trick a user into thinking that they have a virus or piece of spyware on his PC, and then preys on the user’s fear to entice him into downloading a piece of malicious software masquerading as antivirus or antispyware software.
Read the full story here.


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D&G 'feared' hiring Madonna for ad campaign
Top Italian fashion designers Dolce and Gabbana had to think twice before approaching pop superstar Madonna to be the new face of their luxury label, because they feared a business deal would...entertainment Updated: Jan 26, 2010 17:27 IST
Madonna was unveiled as the spokesmodel for Dolce & Gabbana's spring/summer 2010 campaign last year and the celebrated designers admit they hesitated at the thought of working with the Material Girl, W magazine reported.
"There was a sort of fear on our behalf of asking Madonna to do anything business. We thought it could impact our relationship, and Madonna is one of the few people we're really in awe of. To have Madonna in our campaign is a dream come true," Gabbana said.


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On Wall Street zeroes can become heroes relatively quickly. For example, in the past the Street hated Roku (NASDAQ:ROKU), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) and Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) and now they’re all among the most beloved names in the stock market. Often, positive macro trends can explain the transformation. For example, Roku and Pinterest got a big boost due to the acceleration of advertising spending. Obviously, investors can make a great deal of money by correctly predict which names will go from hated to loved within a year. Here are three contrarian stock picks which I believe are very well-positioned to make the journey in the next 12 months.
Bionano’s (NASDAQ:BNGO) products use a method called optical genome mapping (OGM) to identify structural variations within DNA missed by other methods. OGM is clearly becoming much more popular among healthcare professionals as seen in BNGO’s recent financials. The company reported that its revenue had climbed 27% to 30% last quarter versus the same period a year earlier. Moreover, it estimated that the number of flowcells that it had sold had soared 67% year-over-year to nearly 8,000. Flowcells, which are used to facilitate OGM, are the firm’s main source of revenue.
Also noteworthy is that CEO Erik Holmlin stated in November that the firm had been in contact with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in an effort to obtain the agency’s approval for an OGM test. In order to obtain the approval, the firm will have to conduct a relatively small clinical study this year, the CEO explained.
Such an approval, which sounds as though it could come at the end of this year or in the first half of 2025, would likely result in many insurers covering the test, causing many more labs to utilize it and tremendously lifting BNGO stock.
As a result, I view BNGO as one of the best contrarian stock picks at this point.
Plug Power (PLUG)
Plug Power (NASDAQ:PLUG) continues to make progress in its drive to develop a comprehensive, profitable hydrogen ecosystem. On Dec. 27, PLUG announced that it had successfully deployed and launched an electrolyzer system at an Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) plant in Colorado.
This is the first time that Amazon has deployed such an electrolyzer which utilizes electricity and water to produce hydrogen which is used to power hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift trucks. I’m optimistic that Amazon will utilize PLUG’s electrolyzers at dozens more of its plants over the next year. If that prediction comes true it would meaningfully lift PLUG’s top and bottom lines.
Further, the huge freight-train company, Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP), is utilizing PLUG’s hydrogen fuel-cell power generators. Specifically, the company had deployed 67 of these generators as of Dec 27. I’m confident that many other sizeable firms will utilize large numbers of PLUG’s generators over the longer term, giving PLUG stock a meaningful lift.
Despite the media’s hand wringing about the lack of growth of electric vehicles in America, EVs are actually continuing to proliferate fairly rapidly in the U.S. Last quarter, 8% of all the vehicles sold in the country were EVs. That represented a 40% increase versus the same period a year earlier. Meanwhile, Bloomberg predicts that nearly 1.9 million EVs will be provided to customers this year, up from almost 1.2 million in 2023.
That growth should tremendously benefit EVgo (NASDAQ:EVGO) which has one of the largest networks of fast EV chargers in the country.
And that network is in a position to greatly increase in 2024, as EVgo, in partnership with General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Warren Buffet-owned convenience store operator Pilot, intends to add roughly 200 charging stations this year.
On the date of publication, Larry Ramer held long positions in BNGO,PLUG, and EVGO. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.


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I've spent the past week wandering around my local park in London staring at my phone and catching monsters, and now you can, too. While Pokémon Go launched in the US last week, Brits across the pond have had to resort to sideloading the game on Android or using a US iTunes account to get early access. Pokémon Go is now officially launching in the UK on Android and iOS today.
Following the German launch yesterday, it's clear the UK addition means more European countries will get access to the hugely popular game this week. A large number of British players have already been playing the game, so the vast majority of gyms have already been secured by pokémon trainers. If you did use a US iTunes account, you'll need to delete the app and reinstall it from the UK App Store to continue receiving updates to the game. If you've waited for the official launch, now is the time to read up on exactly how to play Pokémon Go, and get those walking shoes ready because you're going to need them.


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There's just one day left before Yahoo posts fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday, and by the looks of it, the company won't have much good news to share. In the wake of sluggish growth and a management shuffle, the company is widely expected to announce lay offs in an effort to cut costs.
____________"I expect [the company] to announce close to 1,000 layoffs. I can't tell you where [Yahoo] will cut from, but I can tell you what they're not going to touch: Mail, Instant Messenger, Yahoo Finance, Flickr and
Del.icio.us," says Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry. ________"I think Yahoo, like eBay, is fatigued. They've got to get rid of the things that aren't working anymore. They're on a long journey, it could be another two to three years of turnaround."
That may not be Yahoo's only piece of bad news. The company is also expected to provide an update on its deal with AT&T, which is supposed to be renegotiated this spring. Under the current agreement, Yahoo receives fees per subscriber for providing premium web-based services to AT&T's broadband subscriber base. It's not clear how the talks are going, but Youssef Squali, an analyst with Jefferies & Co., thinks the company could lose $200 million to $250 million in access fees under a new agreement.
"We've heard that Yahoo gets $2
per month per subscriber in fees, but there's no way the agreement will get renewed on a fee basis," says Jim Friedland, Cowen & Co. analyst. "____[The AT&T renegotiation] is going to be bad for Yahoo, it's just a question of how bad will it be. We think the fact that the company is clearly planning layoffs is a sign that things haven't turned around yet. The road ahead is a difficult one."


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It’s highly likely that Pragmata, the eerie and dystopian sci-fi adventure game developed by Capcom, has slipped from your memory. Well, get ready to forget about it once more. In a recent teaser for the game, Capcom disclosed that it will not meet its intended release window in 2023.
The development team expressed their disappointment in a heartfelt message at the conclusion of the new trailer: “Regrettably, we must postpone the release of Pragmata yet again. Our dedicated team is striving to create the best possible game, but we require additional time.”
This marks the second delay for Pragmata. Initially unveiled in 2020, the game was introduced through a cinematic trailer depicting a soldier and a young girl navigating an abandoned city and eventually ending up on the moon’s surface. The initial teaser hinted at a future dystopia and an intimate bond between the main characters, but provided little else. Approximately one year later, Capcom released a video featuring the young girl offering apologies for the game’s delay. This year’s trailer is reminiscent of the previous one but does offer glimpses of actual gameplay.
We now know that the young girl goes by the name of Diana and appears to be under the protection of her heavily armored companion. Together, they engage in combat against robot-like creatures, explore futuristic environments, and even embark on fast-paced piggy-back rides. While the soldier handles the majority of the duo’s fighting in the trailer, it also reveals that Diana possesses unique abilities.
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What exactly are these powers? Why are these two characters on the moon? What has become of the rest of humanity? Answers to these questions will have to wait. The Pragmata team has refrained from announcing a new release window, assuring fans that they are striving to deliver a final product that will be worth the wait.
Pragmata is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC gaming platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pragmata delay
What is Pragmata?
Pragmata is an eerie and dystopian sci-fi adventure game developed by Capcom. It features a soldier and a young girl named Diana exploring abandoned cities and encountering robot-like creatures in futuristic environments.
Has the release of Pragmata been delayed?
Yes, Pragmata has faced multiple delays. This recent announcement marks the second delay for the game, with no specific release window provided.
What platforms will Pragmata be available on?
Pragmata is planned to be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC gaming platforms.
Who are the main characters in Pragmata?
The main characters in Pragmata are a soldier and a young girl named Diana. The soldier acts as Diana’s protector as they navigate through the game’s mysterious world.
What can we expect from the gameplay of Pragmata?
Based on the teaser trailers, Pragmata offers combat against robot-like creatures, exploration of futuristic environments, and unique abilities for the character Diana.
Why was Pragmata delayed?
The development team stated that they need more time to ensure they deliver the best game possible, indicating that they are working diligently to create a product worthy of players’ patience.
Is there a new release date announced for Pragmata?
No, the development team has not announced a new release date for Pragmata at this time. Fans will have to wait for further updates.


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there was a big Toyota meeting in Miami, FL during the week and weekend that my dad and mom went to...
so i asked him about it and he told me what was there and stuff..
the Toyota President was there (dude from Japan)...
my dad says..
-new Scion tC is very nice...dual moonroof's on it are standard, which is pretty neat...everyone loves sunroof's...
-160 hp stock...with with TRD
supercharger available, it gets around 200 hp..too bad no lift
-saw the Toyota X-runner truck...pretty neat
-later on Toyota is releasing a truck that resembles the TRD
Craftsmen Truck Series Tundra...idk anything about it, but I'm guessing it's gonna have a bunch of TRD
parts on it, plus it is going to look like the TRD
-there will be a supercharger available for the X-runner truck...making it 300 hp I think...stock 0-60 is 7 secs...it's gonna be pretty quick...
-saw 2006 Avalon...idk what it looks like, said it was neat...
-there was NO mentioning of the next Celica at all..and we know the MRS is discontinued for 05
-toyota president says there is nothing planned for the celica or mrs...but that there will be "new and exciting products replacing them" a litte later on...right now, Toyota's focusing on the Scion's and the tC mainly to grab the attention of celica/mrs buyers
I think that was it that he told me...anyway, i look forward to seeing what Toyota has going and I don't think they are out of any market yet (sports car)...I think they will come along and the stuff they have coming seems great.


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In September, Tik Tok announced that the company will ban advertisements for weight loss supplements and diet fasting apps. The video streaming social media platform also pledged to restrict advertisements that “promote a harmful and negative body image.” The policy change is a response to backlash from users for allowing advertisements that promote dangerous fasting diets to young girls, as more than a third of Tik Tok’s users are under the age of fifteen.
Studies conducted over the past decade show that increased use of social media is strongly linked to declining mental health rates among US teenagers and young adults , which has been linked to drastic increases in teen suicide rates. Between 2009 and 2017, teen suicide rates increased 60% for ages 14 to 17, 47% for ages 12 to 13 and 46% for ages 18 to 21. The more time that teenagers spend on social media, the more insecure and anxious they feel over time. The long term effects have the potential to devastate both their mental and physical health. Teenage girls are especially vulnerable to developing body insecurities and eating disorders as a result of the pressure to fit a certain standard of beauty portrayed on social media.
Tik Tok is not the first social media company to come under fire for promoting dangerous products and lifestyles to young adults for their own profit. For years, Instagram was notorious for promoting questionable weight loss products targeted at teens, such as appetite suppressant lollipops and fruity weight loss tea. Although Instagram now bans the promotion of such diet supplements, the policy change came only after its involvement in a federal lawsuit against the “fit tea” brand, Teami. The Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against Teami for making unsubstantiated claims about the tea’s health benefits and promoting the tea on Instagram without any scientific evidence to support the claims. Teami was fined one million dollars.
Although banning harmful content on TikTok is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, these policy changes alone may not have the desired effect due to the company’s limited ability to effectively enforce content regulation. Instagram attempted to strengthen its guidelines by limiting the types of diet products permitted for promotion and introducing minimum user age requirements for diet product ads. However, Instagram’s policies have thus far failed to serve their intended purpose. Scam diet companies, like Teami, have taken advantage of loopholes in the new guidelines by substituting blatantly problematic dieting phrases with more insidious words that serve the same purpose. For example, companies easily rebrand the same diet products as promoting “wellness” rather than “weight loss,” without violating Instagram’s newest guidelines. It is likely that Tik Tok will face similar challenges while attempting to ban dangerous diet companies from marketing on their platform.
The ease at which companies are able to manipulate community guidelines raises the question of whether Big Tech truly cares at all about user safety. Were these guideline changes a genuine effort to fix past mistakes or a forced performance to save face in light of a scandal? Worse yet is the question of whether these tech titans even have the ability to control the content on their platforms at all. Now that the power of social media is realized, it is time to consider the moral and ethical responsibilities these companies have to protect users and, ultimately, the well-being of the next generation.


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The tech stocks analysts reckon will do well in the coronavirus crisis
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The arrival of COVID-19 in Australia has led to government restrictions on travel and large social gatherings, leading people to spend more time at home for business, study, work and leisure.
Tech stock analysts said it was reasonable to assume the coronavirus crisis could speed up the adoption of remote, internet-based activity across Australian society.
“Things like Netflix and cloud-based accounting are well-entrenched, but I expect people are about to get significant exposure to online learning, remote working and take online shopping beyond occasional eBay and Amazon purchases,” Martin Pretty, director of investment management company Equitable Investors, said.
While only a few schools have closed on a temporary basis due to the virus outbreak, government officials are openly talking about the possibility of wholesale school closures in Australia in the near future.
Telstra has told its employees that many may have to work from home for the next four weeks, and more Australian companies are likely to follow its lead sparking radical change to traditional work routines and practices.
Such developments could drastically increase demand for online business services ranging from cloud computing to software that support home working and home study, according to tech stock analysts.
“We have had a bit of expansion to online learning and anything that is digitised, and remote working looks to be benefitting,” Dean Fergie, director and portfolio manager at Cyan Investment Management, said in the context of the coronavirus.
He pointed to Readcloud (ASX:RCL), a digital content provider to schools and vocational training centres with access to leading publishers such as Oxford University Press and Harper Collins as a beneficiary.
“The stock has held up well and business continues to boom,” Fergie said.
Pretty agreed on ReadCloud as a stock pick that was well positioned in the marketplace, and added his pick of Schrole Group (ASX:SCL), whose cloud-based software enables schools to manage the recruitment and training of teachers.
MGM Wireless (ASX:MWR) with its Spacetalk smartphone, watch and GPS device that enables parents to keep in touch with their children is another pick of Pretty’s, and the company is soon to launch a product for older family members.
Other tech companies in the education space are 3P Learning (ASX:3PL), the firm behind the popular Reading Eggs and Mathletics programs for children, and online course provider OpenLearning (ASX:OLL).
Tech companies providing secure computing services and core software could also see an upturn in demand with limited downside, analysts said.
“I imagine digital subscription-based businesses offering near ‘non-discretionary’ services will be best placed,” Pretty said.
“Businesses are unlikely to let go of their cloud-based accounting services and other core software unless there is a significant cost saving available from a reliable competitor,” Pretty said.
He cited Citadel Group (ASX:CGL), a provider of IT and software services to government, health and security sectors, and MedAdvisor (ASX:MDR) which facilitates communication between pharmacists, drug companies, doctors and patients for the ordering and delivery of pharmacy scripts.
Fergie agreed that firms providing proprietary computer software were benefiting from greater demand.
“With people working remotely employers are having to buy more software licences for them to do so, and some software companies will benefit,” he said.
On this basis, accounting software companies MYOB (ASX:MYO) and Xero (ASX:XRO) could be poised for further growth. Companies leading change towards automation such as machine-learning data company Appen (ASX:APX) and Vection Technologies (ASX:VR1), a 3D modelling and virtual reality company, are also gaining traction among businesses.
The ASX market’s correction following uncertainty around the impact of the coronavirus in Australia has repriced some tech stocks to lower levels, analysts said.
“They [tech stocks] are not trading at prices that six weeks ago people thought they would never see again,” Fergie said.
Tech stocks that are well positioned in their chosen markets and have sound financials will be able to make progress when stock markets recover, he says.
“There will be a time to buy into this market before conditions improve on the ground,” Fergie noted.
Pretty said some tech companies had suffered recent heavy price falls.
“I would say in relation to some tech stock valuations, ‘the bigger they are, the harder they fall,” Pretty said.
He reckons tech sector companies, especially smaller ones need to review their cost structures and capital requirements to ensure they can survive the current bear market so they can recapitalise when markets normalise.
Three factors would make a company attractive to investors in the current volatile market, according to Fergie.
“Where we would look at is a business that ideally has three things — companies that are cashed up and have no need for additional capital, have defensive earnings streams, and pay a reasonable dividend yield,” he said.
Fergie pinpointed several ASX stocks on the basis of these criteria, although some were non-tech firms, and included Kelly Partners Group (ASX:KPG), a single-brand network of accounting services firms, McMillan Shakespeare Group (ASX:MMS), a salary packaging and novated leasing firm, and Quickstep Holdings (ASX:QHL), a defence and aerospace components manufacturer.
Australian food retailers may see an increase in demand for online shopping in the current climate, but their supply chains and staffing are vulnerable to virus-related disruptions.
The same goes for online retailers providing electronic products or consumer goods. They could be affected if wage packets take a hit from people being unable to go to work.
“Any discretionary spending could be pared back,” Fergie said.
Travel-related firms including those with online offerings are also problematic in the current market.
“Clearly, you do not want to have anything travel related,” Fergie stressed.


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Weeks ago, Koei Tecmo created a website teasing a new video game releasing in 2019. Today we have found out about the game that they have been teasing – Winning Post 9.
Winning Post 9 is the latest entry in the Winning Post series, a game about horse racing. It’ll be released for Nintendo Switch in Japan in March 2019.
New features in Winning Post 9 include Rival Versus, where unique characters and dramatic scenes (such as Meijiro McQueen vs Tokai Teio) will appear. Another new feature will allow users to “show bloodline suitability worldwide”.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.


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Volkswagen has just rolled out the latest iteration of its iconic Golf GTI. This is the 8th Generation of the compact performer and it’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the power, GTI branding, and plaid interior accents, a red LED strip under the grill makes clear this is no stock Golf. Sadly, the new Euro-tuned 4-door won’t reach American dealers until the end of 2021.
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Consumers tend to prefer starting their online purchasing research with Amazon rather than Google: 30% of online buyers surveyed say they began researching their most recent online purchase via Amazon, more than twice the proportion (13%) who began their research with Google, according to report by Forrester Research.
Moreover, that's almost a complete reversal from the third quarter of 2009, when 24% of consumers said they began researching previous online purchases at Google, compared with 18% who did so via Amazon.
Below, additional findings from the Forrester report titled "Why Amazon Matters Now More Than Ever."
Amazon's global net sales amounted to $48 billion last year. In the US, its sales have outpaced e-commerce growth as a whole, accounting for 19% of all online sales in the country in 2011, up from 9% in 2001.
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Akzo’s Cost-Cutting CEO Said Solicited for $7 Bln DealElco van Groningen, Andrew Noel and Aaron Kirchfeld
Akzo Nobel NV, Europe’s largest paintmaker, is being sounded out as a potential buyer of Axalta Coating Systems valued at $7 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
Carlyle Group LP, which bought car-coatings company Axalta from DuPont Co. for $4.9 billion in February 2013, is open to bids alongside a planned initial public offering, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plan is private. Investment bankers are speaking with Amsterdam-based Akzo Nobel to pitch a deal, although the Dutch company hasn’t indicated whether it will pursue Axalta, the people said.
The opportunity to expand Akzo Nobel’s profitable coatings business comes at a time when Chief Executive Officer Ton Buechner is focused on cutting costs in a revamp he started 19 months ago. Axalta could fetch more than $7 billion and Akzo Nobel and U.S. rival Sherwin-Williams Co. are seen as the best fits for the supplier of coatings to General Motors Co. and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz cars amid few possible trade buyers, the people said.
“Akzo has to come with something strategically new,” said Gert Steens, an analyst at SNS Securities. “That there will be portfolio activity seems logical. Management has been replaced entirely, so you have a team of relatively young people fairly new to the company and asking each other what they want to achieve.”
Buechner already oversees a $7 billion coatings business that ranges from protective layers on packaging materials to friction-reducing coatings on airplanes, ships and Formula 1 cars.
The stock today gained as much as 0.8 percent in Amsterdam trading, valuing the company at 13 billion euros ($17 billion). Akzo Nobel, which in July reported better-than-estimated second-quarter earnings, has risen 4 percent from this year’s low on Aug. 8. It’s valued at 8.91 times this year’s estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, compared with 11.96 for PPG Industries Inc., according to data collected by Bloomberg.
“We do know about the business and we’ve heard of the IPO, but that’s all there is to say,” Akzo Nobel spokeswoman Diana Abrahams said by phone. Carlyle declined to comment.
Carlyle has hired Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to work on the IPO of Philadelphia-based Axalta that could raise an initial $1 billion, two people said on Aug. 13. Representatives for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs declined to comment at the time.
The private-equity company is willing to entertain offers ahead of the IPO as plans for the listing are still in the early stages with no target date set yet, said the people. An IPO is currently the main focus as it would allow the buyout firm to progressively cash in on a business predicted to grow revenue by 63 percent from last year to $7 billion by 2018.
A manager capable of running a listed chemical company is already in place. Axalta CEO Charlie Shaver built his career at TPC Group, Texas Petrochemicals, Arch Chemicals and Dow Chemical Co. In 2011, he took an operating partner role at buyout firm Golden Gate Capital Corp.
DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman’s disposal of the auto-coatings business last year came at the wrong time for Akzo Nobel. In February 2013, the same month Axalta was sold, Buechner unveiled his long-awaited new strategy for Europe’s biggest paint maker. Upon taking over in 2012, he threw himself into a strategic review with such zeal that he needed three months of leave for exhaustion.
Since his return, the CEO’s prime focus has been on tackling cutting costs linked to Akzo’s $17 billion acquisition of Imperial Chemical Industries in 2007 that created a diversified chemical and paint company manufacturing commodities such as polyvinyl chloride to the Dulux household paint brand. Rather than buying companies, Buechner, who is an engineer by training and has a MBA from IMD in Lausanne, has divested businesses to simplify the company to bring margins in line with those of PPG and Sherwin.
Steens said an acquisition to expand Akzo Nobel’s car coatings business might be too expensive as there are only a few targets, potentially forcing the company to pay a high multiple, he said.
“When you buy something really big in an already consolidated market, then you will pay the full multiple, which won’t do shareholders any good,” he said. “It could be similar to what we’ve seen when Akzo bought ICI.”
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BEVERLY HILLS, July 09, (THEWILL) – Gal Pissetzky of Pissetzky and Berliner, the legal representative to Ramon Abbass (Hushpuppi), says the popular Instagram celebrity, who flaunts his luxury cars, wristwatches and luxurious lifestyle, without any known legitimate means of income, is not guilty of the charges against him.
While speaking during an interview with Forbes, Pissetzky said: “Ramon Abass, aka Hushpuppi is absolutely not guilty of all the charges they are accusing him of”.
“Abass was running a very legitimate business and had a very legitimate Instagram account and did not take part in any scam or fraud. He is an entrepreneur; he has a real estate business and was promoting a brand, that’s how he was very legitimately making his money.”
THEWILL reports that the Nigerian, UAE and United States authorities allege he is a cyber-thief and risks 20 years in a US federal prison if convicted for fraud and other cyber related offences.


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Google has been prototyping technology for foldable phones، but don't expect a folding version of the search giant's flagship Pixel phone or its cheaper Pixel 3A anytime soon. Phones with screens that bend and hinge have been touted as the future of smartphones، generating tons of hype and excitement with their ability to transform from a phone into a tablet.
Some of the early enthusiasm، however، has faded since the screens on review units of Samsung's Galaxy Fold began breaking. The embarrassment forced Samsung to postpone the release date for its $1،980 device، which was one of the first major foldables to be announced، CNET reported.
Google has also experimented with the foldable form، said Mario Queiroz، who leads development of Pixel phones، ahead of the search giant's IO developer conference. But Google isn't in a rush to get a folding product to market.
"We're definitely prototyping the technology. We've been doing it for a long time،" Queiroz said in an interview last week at Google's headquarters in Mountain View، California. But، he added، "I don't think there's a clear use case yet." Foldables are good for people who want bigger screens، he said، but that won't be enough to spur consumer interest.
"I think it needs to be more innovative than that،" he said، referring to the expanding screen size that foldable phones offer. "The use case is going to need to be something where you go، 'Hey، I definitely need to have this.' Right now، you don't need to have a foldable. It's kind of a 'nice-to-have.'"
It's unclear how far along Google is in developing its foldable prototype or how its screen would operate when opened and closed. Samsung's Galaxy Fold has a smaller screen on the front and opens up into a larger one on the inside. Huawei's Mate X، another foldable، has a different design that puts its 8-inch screen on the outside. In a follow-up statement، Queiroz reiterated that there are no plans to go to market with a foldable right now.
"We're prototyping foldable displays and many other new hardware technologies، and have no related product announcements to make at this time،" he said. "We're focusing our excitement today on the new members of the Pixel family، the awesome and affordable Pixel 3A and 3A XL،" midtier versions of Google's flagship phone line that the company announced Tuesday.
Google's experimentation with a foldable comes as phone makers across the board have struggled with sales amid rising prices for high-end phones. Last week، Google said Pixel sales are lower this year than last year. Google CFO Ruth Porat said it was because of "recent pressures in the premium smartphone market." Google's rivals are feeling the pressure too. Apple said last week that it sold fewer iPhones year over year، while Samsung also struggled with disappointing phone revenue. Google launched the Pixel 3A، which starts at half the price of the premium version at $399، in part to deal with those sluggish sales. The midtier model is designed to make Google's flagship line more accessible. A foldable Pixel، should one ever reach the market، would compete at the opposite end of the spectrum. For example، the rumored foldable Motorola Razr supposedly would sell for $1،500.
Foldable phone sales will reach 30 million units، accounting for 5% of the high-end phone market، by 2023، according to a Gartner forecast last month. They will likely be considered a luxury item for years.


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These Are The Sadio Mané New Balance Furon 6+ for AFCON
New Balance wants their players to get ready for the AFCON, especially one as revered in the continent as Sadio Mané. His new Furon 6+ include vivid Impulse orange and blue tones, to make them more noticeable.
The pair of boots are more than just an instrument for the footballer in this tournament. Senegal and the Liverpool striker take on Zimbabwe on January 10th, and will don the shoes, called ‘The Lion Roars’.
Mané isn’t the only Liverpool player getting a new pair of footwear, since Mo Salah is also debuting his own. But, for New Balance, the Senegalese is a huge part of their 2022 strategy, as the player has become one of Africa’s biggest figures.
The Sadio Mané New Balance Furon 6+ will become available at newbalance.com for preorder on January 10th.


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Could Jeep finally be adding a diesel and Wrangler-based pickup truck to its lineup in the near future?
Read This Article
The 2013 Dodge Dart hasn't even hit the production line yet, but its economic impact is already being felt.
During a dedication ceremony, Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne confirmed a $1.249 Billion investment to build the RAM ProMaster van.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has closed its investigation into an airbag wiring problem plaguing certain model year Jeep Wranglers.


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According to a CoinDesk report, and a Tuesday tweet by bitcoiners, Square now allows bitcoin deposits via its mobile Cash App.
Square mobile cash app is available for both Android and iOS. Some users can now access the service. Users can sell or buy bitcoins, and also transfer the cryptocurrency to another account.
Since November 2017, Selected Cash App has been able to buy and sell bitcoin. Initial testing was limited to a few users, but the platform planned to eventually open this feature to all its users. Although Square is not sure how long they have been offering the same feature, it was reported that not all Cash App users were able to deposit bitcoin as of press time.
Marty Bent, a podcaster, tweeted a screenshot showing that he could accept deposits on June 18. This suggests that only a select audience has access to the feature prior to its full launch.
As per Square’s support page, “support for bitcoin deposits to third-party wallets is coming soon.” The page adds:
“In the interim, you can transfer profits made from bitcoin sales to any bank account or debit to your Cash App.”
Square has been investing heavily into bitcoin and its ecosystem. In the first quarter 2019, Square saw $65.5 million in revenue from the token. The actual profit from the scenarios is $832,000.
Square Crypto, the company’s bitcoin-focused arm, is hiring developers to develop tools for bitcoin blockchain. Steve Lee, an ex-Google director, was the most recent hire, though his exact role is not known.
Jack Dorsey, Square CEO and the founder of social media giant Twitter has been an open supporter of the cryptocurrency, so much so he has had claimed that bitcoin could become the world’s currency.


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This could be the most expensive Super Bowl ever with ticket prices soaring
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, Feb. 2 — and this highly anticipated game sent ticket prices soaring one day after the matchup was set.
On the online ticket platform SeatGeek, the average resale price was $6,232 Monday, Jan. 20, although, the average price for tickets sold over the prior 24 hours was even higher, at $6,785.
Taking place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Feb. 2, the 2020 Super Bowl is trending to be the most expensive ever.
The cheapest ticket listed on SeatGeek Monday was $5,727, while the most expensive was a whopping $70,153. And if you’re looking to go with a big group, an 18-person suite will set you back about $439,000, according to TicketIQ.
Compared to previous Super Bowls, the average resale ticket price was nearly $1,000 more than the second most expensive game, Super Bowl LII. During that game, between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, the average resale price reached $5,373. Tickets for Super Bowl LIII between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots was third most expensive at $4,657.


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Believe it or not, a hacker could be spying on you through your MacBook Webcam right now. Yes, right now.
That’s because it’s possible for hackers or even the federal government to bypass the security feature in the iSight camera, researchers at Johns Hopkins University say.
The iSight camera typically lights up green when it’s on. That’s actually a security feature to notify you that the camera is on and that people may be able to see you.
Hackers, researchers have discovered, can use a piece of software called a Remote Administration Tool to get around that security feature. RAT allows people to control a computer from anywhere on the Internet to turn on the iSight camera without turning on the light.
Hackers can accomplish this by reprogramming the chip inside the camera, known as a micro-controller, to allow the camera and light to be activated independently.
The vulnerability only affects earlier models of Apple’s products, like the iMac G5, and its early Intel-based iMacs, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros until around 2008. Though, it is possible that the attack could be used on newer systems, Twitter security expert Charlie Miller told the Washington Post.
So what can you do to protect yourself? Stick a piece of tape on your camera, Miller says. Seriously.
Check out the video below to see how it works.
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5 Hours Ago Yesterday, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang took the stage at Gamescom to talk about something he was clearly very hyped about. He introduced us all to the NVIDIA RTX 20 series, a range of new graphics cards that are capable of some very exciting things but have impressively hefty price tags to match.
6 Hours Ago Apple is a company that makes money hand-over-fist. One of the ways it does this, aside from hardware, is through App Store sales. Every time a developer sells an app through the iOS App Store, Apple takes a cut of that revenue.
7 Hours Ago Today at Gamescom, Microsoft hosted a long presentation in which it talked about many upcoming Xbox One games. Sprinkled throughout the presentation were console bundle announcements associated with the biggest games of the bunch.
8 Hours Ago Those of you who are looking forward to Shenmue 3 are going to have to wait a long time before it arrives. Though the game was originally scheduled to launch in 2017, a pair of delays pushed it back to the second half of 2018, then again to sometime in 2019.
9 Hours Ago Microsoft is currently in the middle of a lengthy Gamescom presentation, but it wasted little time in making one of its biggest announcements. Nearly 10 months after it first launched on Xbox One as an Xbox Game Preview title, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is almost ready to enter full release.
10 Hours Ago As of today, Gamescom is officially in full swing, and Samsung showed up to the event with a few different monitors in tow. One such monitor is the CJG5, a curved monitor that comes in two varieties: 27-inch and 32-inch.
11 Hours Ago One advantage of low and mid-range virtual reality headsets like the Gear VR or the Oculus Go is they’re wireless, relying on phones or onboard hardware for their power.
19 Hours Ago It isn’t very often that you hear about pro gamers using wireless mice, but Logitech is hoping to change that with a new iteration of the G Pro.
Yesterday The press conference NVIDIA held at Gamescom today was pretty much all about the company’s new 20 series graphics cards, but in between talks of neural networking and ray tracing, there was a surprise announcement.
Yesterday Today at Gamescom, NVIDIA announced three new graphics cards for the next generations. These 20-series cards are built on the company’s new RTX platform and represent a pretty large jump in capabilities over the 10-series.
Yesterday Kicking off Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, NVIDIA is hosting a keynote address to talk gaming and new hardware. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang took the stage just a short while ago to make a reveal something that we all knew was coming.
Yesterday Today, Microsoft announced that Minecraft: Education Edition will soon be available on a new platform. Roughly two years after first releasing, Minecraft: Education Edition is heading to iPad.
Yesterday Super Smash Bros Ultimate might be the most anticipated Nintendo Switch game of the year, but there are still plenty more games coming to the platform before the year is out.
Yesterday Spending a long time at a computer day in and day out can wreak havoc on your hands, wrists, and forearms, so a lot of people turn to ergonomic keyboards and mice to relieve some of the strain.
4 Days Ago For the past couple of seasons, Epic has implemented interesting movement items to Fortnite. Last season, it was Hop Rocks, and this season, it’s Rifts, which send you up into the sky and allow you to glide back down to the ground.
4 Days Ago The Switch has proven to be a pretty good platform for Wii U games, and there are still plenty left to bring over. The next Wii U port Nintendo launches for the Switch could be New Super Mario Bros U, assuming a new rumor is to be believed.
4 Days Ago After revealing the Republic of Gamers Strix SCAR II yesterday, ASUS is back with another ROG-branded gaming laptop. This one, however, is a little strange. ROG is calling the Zephyrus S (GX531) the “world’s slimmest gaming laptop,” and while its overall thickness is certainly impressive (14.95-15.75mm), some interesting changes needed to be made in order to make sure everything is … Continue reading
4 Days Ago It looks like you Spyro fans are going to have to wait a little longer to revisit the original trilogy. Originally scheduled to launch next month, developer Toys for Bob and publisher Activision have announced that the Spyro Reignited Trilogy has been delayed.
4 Days Ago It seems that Apple’s iPhone reveal event in September could be a packed one. In addition to revealing 2018’s lineup of iPhones, Apple is now also said to be planning to introduce an entry-level MacBook.
4 Days Ago Google is said to be planning to release a new smart speaker, and it might be looking to the Echo Show for inspiration. A new rumor claims that Google will release a smart speaker with a display at some point this year.
5 Days Ago It’s time once again for another Nintendo eShop update. Just like last week, the 3DS and Wii U are being left out in the cold again, as everything landing on the eShop is for the Nintendo Switch.
5 Days Ago Google announced today that Gmail’s confidential mode has come to mobile devices. The feature launched on desktop earlier this year, and it allows senders to restrict things like forwarding, copying, and downloading the emails they send.
5 Days Ago Sony definitely took a risk by launching a console-based VR headset, but it seems that PlayStation VR is doing pretty well for itself. The company announced today that PSVR has hit a pretty big milestone, with 3 million units sold around the world.
5 Days Ago ASUS Republic of Gamers has announced a new gaming laptop, and this one has an interesting angle to it. Though the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR II (GL704) boasts a 17.3-inch display, ROG says that it’s managed to pack that into a 15.7-inch chassis.
5 Days Ago With Gamescom right around the corner, EA and DICE have delivered a new trailer for Battlefield V. This new trailer centers around the “Devastation of Rotterdam,” and is action packed pretty much from start to end.


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The price of gold and silver has been in sharp focus of late, particularly as the wider economic climate remains mired in uncertainty. Not only this, but precious metals have also been impacted by Reddit group activity, causing significant fluctuations throughout Q1 of 2021.
After initially settling below the main $1,900 pivot level at the end of January, gold prices slumped again by 0.28% on February 1st to reach $1,858.65. Conversely, the value of silver soared after retail investors piled on the asset to drive prices up after liaising on Reddit, continuing a trend for huge market manipulation within the retail space.
In this post, we’ll look at the recent performance of gold and silver while asking what 2021 could have in store for these precious metals.
Then and Now – How Have Prices Fared of Late
Last year saw gold and silver enjoy fluctuating fortunes in many ways, thanks largely to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
For example, silver prices started 2020 by trading at $18 per ounce, before plunging below the $12 mark in March as the outbreak was declared as a global pandemic. This triggered a broader sell off in the marketplace, before sustained growth pushed the price beyond the $28 threshold as some form of prosperity returned in August.
Silver continued to fluctuate throughout the year, while gold also saw its fortunes vary wildly as the pandemic continued to impact on countries across the globe.
Initially, gold rallied as the coronavirus threatened to become a global pandemic, as investors sought out a secure store of wealth and adopted an increasingly risk-averse approach. However, even this asset bore the brunt of the Covid-19 spread, plunging to $1,491.60 on March 21st from a high of $1,700.17 just two weeks previously.
Arguably, the two assets plotted a similar course from the summer onwards, although gold maintained a more stable price trajectory amid ongoing uncertainty and various lockdowns across the globe.
What Does 2021 Have in Store for These Assets?
The initial spikes in the value of gold and silver last March betrayed the subtle differences between these two assets, as while both offer tangible stores of wealth for investors, silver also retains value as a widely used and industrial metal.
It’s particularly prominent in the manufacturing of batteries and medical devices, for example, with both of these markets enjoying consistent growth and demand in the current climate.
This will help to support the demand for silver and its price growth throughout 2021, making it a potentially viable asset for investors as the year progresses. This is also borne out by its current price of $27.80, which is a crucial point of resistance and comes despite a slight decline following the price manipulation carried by various Reddit communities.
The future for gold is a little less clear, with this asset remaining far more reliant on its status as a relative safe haven. In this respect, gold’s performance in 2021 is largely dependent on the outcome of the coronavirus vaccine rollout and the way in which economies across the globe continue to recover following a disastrous 2020.
To this end, the IMF recently upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2021 by 0.3% to 5.5%, while further expansion of 4.2% is being projected for the following 12 months.
If this does indeed to be accurate, there’s likely to be less demand for a safe haven asset such as gold, creating a scenario where the asset’s price declines gradually throughout the year.


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THE GOVERNMENT should focus on increasing consumer confidence in financial institutions rather than "bombarding" people with pension choice, an economist says.
Professor John Kay told NAPF seminar participants the government “mantra” of more consumer choice was based on a flawed economic theory. He said: “People aren’t good at making these decisions. They...
A "substantial" parliamentary bill acting as a "roadmap" for the long-term future of private pensions will lead to a "significant period of calm", Guy Opperman has promised.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has completed its appointment process for the Single Financial Guidance Body's (SFGB) board, naming three non-executive directors.
Pensions and financial inclusion minister Guy Opperman has launched a simplified two-page annual statement in a bid to provide a best practice template for the industry.
Some 70% of defined contribution (DC) members want to know their scheme is personalised and tailored to their needs, an Invesco language study reveals.


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SMART Software Accelerates Growth with Relocation to New Headquarters
Effingham, IL — May 1st, 2018 — SMART Software, providing industry leading software solutions, has moved its headquarters across the street from 1400 to 1300 South Raney, Effingham Illinois.
The new office space both increases the office footprint and supports the company’s growth strategy for the future. The newly remodeled, larger space allows for additional hires across all departments. 2017 saw SMART Software catapult with an amazing 100% growth, and 2018 looks to eclipse that mark as well.
“SMART’s rapid growth in the ATM, Amusement, and Gaming spaces coupled with expanding influence in various field service related markets has led to our expansion into this new office” said Bob Willenborg, Owner at Software. “We are excited to be able to utilize the new space to better serve our customers and accelerate our growth.”
Many customers, from a multitude of different industries benefit from deploying SMART Software. Shawn Fellows, CEO at Global Games, Inc, long time SMART Software user, mentions some of the ways it has given his company advantages: “With the high level of detail provided, to the reports, to the easy to follow instructions, the system works beyond all of our expectations. We have been able to identify areas to increase efficiency, reduce time, cut waste and minimize inventory loss.”
Last year, SMART completed a total brand refresh, doubled its staff, doubled its clientele base, and released numerous powerful new features to their suite of software products. On top of that, the thriving company has entered several new market spaces including convenient store chains, oil companies, entertainment companies, and several other supplementary fields.
About SMART Software
For over 20 years, SMART has been a premium service management system for all types of service companies. Additionally, we have developed industry-leading components, highly specialized for Amusement, Gaming, and ATM Operators. We are active in our community and live by the cornerstones of hard work and integrity which reflect in the quality of our products and our outstanding customer service.


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Tesla on Autopilot accelerated into fire truck at 60mph but at least the driver only broke his ankle
Earlier this month, a Tesla in Utah crashed into a stopped fire truck at 60mph. The story got plenty of attention from the media, which prompted billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk to have a meltdown on Twitter about biased reporting.
Today, the Associated Press obtained document on the Utah crash from local police which appear to show that the vehicle was under the control of Autopilot at the time, and accelerated for a few seconds before the crash. The driver hit the brakes manually a moment before the impact.
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Tesla on Autopilot accelerated into fire truck at 60mph but at least the driver only broke his ankle originally appeared on BGR.com on Fri, 25 May 2018 at 15:53:39 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.


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LPG refuelling network expands in North America
Superior Energy Systems has installed its 1,000th Autogas dispenser and now has units located in all 50 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. The milestone took place at Blossman’s Autogas Research and Technology Centre in Swannanoa (North Carolina) with Superior’s 1,000th-manufactured dispenser.
“Surpassing the 1,000th dispenser sale represents a huge milestone,” said Derek Rimko, company vice president of operations. “Our team has worked diligently for more than 12 years to perfect our line of Autogas dispensers and we now lead the propane industry with highly certified, technologically advanced equipment that meets every fleet need.”
In late 2017, Superior Energy Systems became the second company worldwide, and first U.S.-based company, to earn Measurement Canada approval for its Autogas dispensers. The certification verifies that the company’s dispensers are legal for trade and custody transfer in commercial and retail applications throughout Canada.
In addition, its retail dispenser line, including the PRO-Vend 1000; the web-based, customisable PRO-Vend 2000; and the PRO-Vend dual-hose units are National Type Evaluation Programme (NTEP) certified by the National Conference of Weights and Measures, as well as certified by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 495 requirements. The units also comply with all applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
For more information, please visit this link.
11 April 2018


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The self-critical opening remark by CEO Steve Rowe in M&S’s last annual report that “M&S needs to change fast” translates, in its food division, to a shift in focus from premium to value. But the announcement of this reorientation – aimed at attracting family-aged shoppers – demonstrates M&S’s lack of understanding of where it can most benefit in the future of the UK grocery market.
It is understandable that M&S feels the need to revamp its food offer; its most recent positive quarterly l-f-l sales in food were almost two years ago, in the three months leading up to Christmas 2016. Since then, its undisputed premium proposition has suffered as its occasional shoppers, impacted by squeezed incomes, have drifted away in search of lower prices. And the entire grocery market – as M&S rightly pointed out – has been shaken by the rise of discounters Aldi and Lidl, who control 11.1% of the grocery market in 2018 – an increase of 8.1% on a decade ago.
But the strategy to save M&S by fighting price drops with price drops is the wrong one. Pointing to the discounters and saying ‘let’s be more like them’ is a bizarre notion that cannot result in a sudden uplift in l-f-l sales. Budget-constrained shoppers that were previously infrequent patrons of M&S are switching to the likes of Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, or moving online to retailers such as Ocado – not erratically changing their grocery priorities and gleefully rubbing their hands at every penny saved through an Aldi, Lidl or B&M till.
So the new ‘value’ drive within food (a word used five times in one side of A4 in the food section of M&S’s 2018 annual report) is an error. It would require a complete overhaul of how M&S’s food stores are managed, a drift away from the rest of the Group’s ‘Digital First’ strategy, and a total revision of brand perception among consumers.
Instead, M&S food needs to prioritize its established mantra – being ‘special and different’. Its regular outperformance in key seasonal holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, shows that grocery shopping at M&S is an irregular delicacy for many – reassured that the extra expense will guarantee the kind of quality that perhaps only Waitrose can rival among UK supermarkets. New food boss Stuart Machin needs to stress M&S’s product credentials in freshness and traceability, and food innovation needs to be adventurous – not, as currently pitched, aiming towards ‘high-volume family products’.
It must have been challenging for M&S to run a successful food business based on infrequent festivities over the last difficult year, and the growing cloud of uncertainty around Brexit suggests that trading conditions may remain tough. Consumers are growing more wary of how prices (particularly of essentials) will change over the course of the next year, and for the short term will be willing to stick with cheaper alternatives to M&S’s proposition. But as UK shoppers begin to emerge from the tunnel of financial burden, there needs to be a grocer that represents a light at the end of it, who can coax shoppers into prioritising high-quality food. M&S shouldn’t lower its bar; it should encourage shoppers to raise theirs.


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The folks over at HowToarena are reporting that a new SIM interposer for the iPhone 4S is about to hit the market. The GEVEY Ultra S promises to unlock both GSM and CDMA handsets, which is a fairly big deal.
We’ve already seen a couple of SIM interposers launch for Apple’s latest handset this year. Last month alone we told you about two new products, the R-SIM and TP-SIM. But neither worked with Sprint handsets…(...)
Read the rest of Unlock your CDMA iPhone 4S with Gevey Ultra S Interposer SIM
"Unlock your CDMA iPhone 4S with Gevey Ultra S Interposer SIM" is an article by iDownloadBlog.com.
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Rockstar has launched a teaser video and screenshots from the new mode less than a week left before the online heists come for the Grand Theft Auto V.
Online heists, that comes in a free update on March 10 is going to allow four players to take part in the multi-part heist missions the same as those in the single-player game. Added to the heists, the update will promote flesh out the online experience carrying new player versus player modes, free roam activities and daily goals.
The update will be accessible on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. The PC players will get the online heists as soon as the game will be released on April 14.
I cant wait until this is released this week. Certainly brings a new dynamic to the online gameplay and yet again demonstrates the great lengths Rockstar Games have gone to keep us gamers happy.
Check out the trailer below


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Over the last few years we have heard ad nauseum about small business struggles with accessing capital for growth.
But, even harder hit then your typical Main Street business has been those companies that have yet to open their doors – Start-Up Businesses.
Start-ups have always struggled at getting capital before launching their businesses. They have no revenue, no real prospects, no assets and no brand name. In fact all they really have is a hope and a prayer.
Thus, no lender or investor in their right mind would touch a start-up business – and they usually don’t.
But, year in and year out, some 600,000 + new businesses are started each year; according to the Small Business Administration.


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The inflation rate in Ghana has dropped marginally from 54.1 percent in December in 2022 to 53.6 percent in January 2023, the Ghana Statistical Service announced on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
However, food inflation went up to 61.0 percent in January 2023, from 59.7 percent recorded in December 2022 whereas non-food inflation declined to 47.9 percent in January 2023, from 49.9 percent recorded in December 2022.
For the first time in several months, transport inflation is due to the reduction in fuel prices during the period. Prices of non-food items also declined during the period.
Per the figures, five divisions registered inflation higher than the national average.
They are Furnishings, household equipment (71.7%); Housing, water, electricity, gas and other (71.1%); Transport (68.8%); Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous services (63.1%) and Food and non-alcoholic beverages (61.0%).
By Vincent Kubi


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Fans on Hunt for Senators Merchandise; Caps and Pennants All but Forgotten until Last Week
Byline: William Glanz, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Baseball fans in the District got their team, but they may not get Washington Senators gear.
Mayor Anthony A. Williams started a frenzy of interest in Senators apparel when he donned a replica of the team's 1969 cap during a press conference last week to announce Major League Baseball's (MLB) decision to move the Montreal Expos here.
Good luck finding a hat like the one he wore.
Not much Senators gear has been made since the name went into hibernation after the 1971 season, when the club's owner moved the team to Texas and renamed it the Rangers.
"They kind of caught us by surprise. When the mayor put that cap on, it was kind of a sleepy seller," said Peter Capolino, president of Mitchell and Ness Nostalgia Co., a company in Philadelphia that is one of the few licensed by the MLB to make Senators apparel.
New Era also makes Senators caps.
Since the announcement that the Expos will emigrate from Canada, Mr. Capolino has begun production of 9,000 Senators caps. Half of them will be shipped to retail stores in metropolitan Washington when they are ready in about four weeks.
"Now people are asking for [Senators hats]. A lot of people saw the mayor with that hat on," said Antoine Russell, store manager at Total Sport, a retailer on Georgia Avenue in Northwest.
Despite interest in Senators apparel, the Expos haven't been renamed. The club's owner, who hasn't been selected by the league, will pick a team name. The Senators and the Nationals are among the likely names for the transplanted club.
"My guess is they will call them the Senators to create a link to the past," Mr. Capolino said.
The MLB bought all the Senators apparel that Mitchell and Ness had once the decision to move the Expos became official, then sold it on its Web site (www.mlb.com).
"It wasn't a lot," Mr. Capolino said.
Mr. Russell said he has been sold out of Senators hats for months.Jerry Sachs, head of business development and marketing at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where a baseball exhibit ended yesterday, said the museum's retail store sold all its Senators apparel before the news that the Expos were coming.
Because the retail pipeline of Senators apparel was empty, D.C. officials turned to the Web for caps for last week's press conference. The District bought 250 Senators hats from Distant Reply, based in Georgia, said Chris Bender, spokesman for the District's Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
"I think we cleaned them out," he said.
Others are scouring the Web, too. …


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It’s been a great time for #Innsbruck, with significant media coverage of the recent UCI Road World Championships showing the beauty and sporting challenge the Capital of the Alps offers.
Great morning raising money for @macmillancoffee - fabulous cake for a fabulous charity! Well done team! #CoffeeMorning
04/10/2018 It’s been a great time for Innsbruck, with significant […]
12/09/2018 Electric tug manufacturer MasterMover is expanding its horizons across […]
06/09/2018 World-leading materials technology company Lucideon is gearing up for […]
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Smartphone cameras are already a lot more popular than professional cameras. But they usually fail to offer the sheer image quality that DSLRs provide. But that could change soon, at least according to a senior Qualcomm executive.
Judd Heape, Vice President of Product Management for Camera, Computer Vision, and Video at Qualcomm, had an interview with Android Authority recently to discuss his thoughts about the future of smartphone photography. According to him, the rate at which image sensors, processors, and artificial intelligence are being improved for smartphones is far greater than that of the rest of the industry, and this will help smartphones surpass DSLRs in about three to five years.
How will smartphone cameras outperform DSLR cameras? AI, faster processing, and faster sensor innovation
Judd says that AI photography can be divided into four stages. The first stage is where AI recognizes a specific object or a scene in an image. In the second stage, AI controls the so-called 3A features, auto-focus, auto-white balance, and auto-exposure. The third stage is where AI understands the different segments or elements of the scene, and this is where Judd thinks the smartphone industry stands currently.
In the fourth stage, Judd says, AI will be capable enough to process an entire image. According to him, you could ask AI to make a picture look like a National Geographic scene, which will adjust the colors, texture, white balance, and everything else to make a picture look like what you asked for. According to him, the technology is three to five years away and would be the holy grail of AI-powered photography.
According to Judd, the processing power in Snapdragon chipsets for smartphones is far greater than what we find in the biggest and most powerful dedicated cameras from Canon and Nikon. That helps smartphones recognize a scene intelligently, adjust different aspects of an image accordingly, and produce brilliant images despite having smaller image sensors and lenses than DSLRs.
Future smartphone chips will be even more powerful
The processing power, and thereby, AI capability, will only increase in the future, claims Judd, allowing a smartphone to achieve the fourth stage of AI, which will enable it to understand the difference between skin, hair, fabric, background, and other such stuff. He also thinks that the rate at which camera sensors are being developed for smartphones is faster and more advanced than what’s happening in the rest of the industry.
The rapid innovation in processing power and camera sensors for smartphones will help smartphones capture better images than a DSLR, claims Judd. That makes sense when you look at how far smartphone cameras have come in recent times. Best camera smartphones nowadays, such as the Galaxy S22 Ultra, can capture images as good as those taken with some DSLRs in their auto mode.
Over the past year, Samsung has released two 200MP camera sensors (ISOCELL HP1 and ISOCELL HP3). The ISOCELL HP1 is used in the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, while the ISOCELL HP3 is used in the upcoming Xiaomi 12T. It would be interesting to see what kind of image quality they offer.


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Yuengling Simplifies Packaging for a More Modern Look
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON: BREWBOUND.COM
BY: JUSTIN KENDALL
America’s oldest brewery is evolving to a more modern look.
D.G. Yuengling & Son today announced that, after three decades, it is updating the packaging for its Traditional Lager as well as Light Lager and Black & Tan porter brands.
Despite a newer, more simplified look, the refreshed packaging maintains the feel of a heritage brand and prominently features the Pennsylvania brewery’s eagle and barrel icons while calling out its roots as “America’s oldest brewery.”
“We’ve improved the shelf pop with the elevated imagery that better communicates the authenticity and craftsmanship of America’s oldest brewery,” Yuengling director of marketing Tyler Simpson told Brewbound.
Highlighting the eagle and barrel symbols is a callback to Yuengling’s genesis in 1829 as the Eagle Brewery, Simpson added.
One of the goals of the redesign was to “better align our packaging across our three core brands,” Simpson said, and the new packaging does create a more unified shelf set. It also simplifies what was once crowded messaging on labels and packaging. It’s a case of addition by subtraction with a simplified message, color palette and font choices.
The woodcut-style design with an engraved-style of eagle will be a “powerful and distinct” differentiator from other packaging in the category, Simpson said.
“We are confident this will have an impact from sales perspective and an image and equity perspective as well,” he said. “This is really an opportunity for us to stand out from elevated image standpoint.”
Yuengling’s 99-calorie Light Lager brand also got a makeover. The new blue, cream and white color scheme for Light Lager is intended to reposition the beer as “a refreshing sessionable light beer alternative,” Simpson said. In the past, the brand had a much darker and heavier cream and red look.
“We think it better communicates the refreshing taste appeal of Light Lager,” Simpson said. “We’re super excited about that brand going forward.”
The new designs are Yuengling’s response to an increasingly crowded and competitive marketplace. Simpson said the company decided to evolve based on wholesaler and consumer feedback to “premiumize” and “clean up” the look of its products.
“That was one of our objectives: strengthen through simplification,” Simpson said. “In the past, we had so many different messages and elements on the packs. We thought there is power in simplifying.”
The rebranding effort, led by the brewery’s internal design team with support from Pennsylvania-based Bailey Brand Consulting, was more than a year in the making, Simpsons said.
“This is something that we championed ourselves,” he said. “The Yuengling family are firm believers in the upgrades we’re making.”
The new packaging is slated to hit store shelves next month with the launch of Yuengling’s beer in Indiana via Monarch Beverage, Indiana Beverage and Five Star Distributing. Other markets will begin receiving the new packages as retailers deplete their inventories, Simpsons said.
Simpson wouldn’t put a dollar figure on the rebranding effort, saying only that “a significant investment” was made to replace printing assets.
Yuengling ranked as the No. 1 craft brewery in U.S. last year, according to the Brewers Association. The company also grew dollar sales 7 percent in grocery, convenience and multi-outlet stores, according to market research firm IRI Worldwide. Its Traditional Lager offering finished the year up 7.4 percent, with dollar sales in excess of $295 million, and Light Lager ended the year up 6.2 percent with more than $54 million in sales, according to IRI.


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Alloa P.S. will be holding a Spring Food Drive from April 23rd – 27th, 2018, as part of our community outreach. You can help by donating non-perishable food items such as canned goods, pasta or cereal.
All items will be donated to the Region of Peel's Outreach program
Thank you in advance for your support!


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“This is just the first initiative that we expect to do with them on the Marley brand and other New Age products on which we are in active discussions,” said Craig Thibodeau, New Age’s VP of Key Accounts, in the press release.
It’s a big deal for sure. And Walmart expects a lot, as InvestorPlace contributor Will Healy noted in January, advising that all owners of NBEV stock might want to reconsider their expectations in the weeks and months ahead.
Thanks to the Walmart deal and NBEV’s $85 million acquisition of Morinda Holdings, CEO Brent Willis expects revenue to grow to around $320 million in 2019. Of course, he didn’t say how much it will lose.


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Ukraine to Ship Corn to China as Part of $3 Billion Loan
Ukraine has met sanitary requirements to export corn to China as a part of a $3 billion Chinese agriculture loan and will probably start shipping the commodity by the end of this year, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
Ukraine will ship the cereal to China under government and company contracts, the Kiev-based ministry said in an e-mailed statement today.
To contact the reporter on this story: Kateryna Choursina in Kiev at email@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James M. Gomez at firstname.lastname@example.org


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Major players in the road marking materials market are The Sherwin-Williams Company, 3M, Geveko Marking, SWARCO, Ennis Flint, Evonik Industries, Automark Technologies, SealMaster, Kelly Bros Erinline, Ozark Materials LLC, and Hempel.
New York, June 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Road Marking Materials Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06285604/?utm_source=GNW
The global road marking materials market is expected to grow from $5.26 billion in 2021 to $5.52 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.02%. The market is expected to grow to $7.03 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 6.23%.
The road marking materials market consists of sales of road marking material products and related services by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that refer to any sort of material that is used on a road surface so as to provide authoritative information and to convey clear and understandable information to travelers about the roadway alignment and vehicle positioning.Road marking materials are developed for durability, safety, and aesthetics for traffic control, positive guidance, and communication warnings.
In addition, road markings are standardized to avoid driveway confusion and enhance road safety.
The main types of road marking materials are paint-based marking, solvent-based paints, water-based paints, performance-based marking, thermoplastics, and cold plastics.Paint-based marking materials are specially designed for road marking, drawing parking bay lines, arrows, numbers, and lines.
The various applications of road marking materials are road markings, factory markings, car park markings, airport markings, and anti-skid markings.
Asia Pacific was the largest region in the road marking materials market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.
The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The new infrastructure and roadway projects in emerging economies are expected to propel the growth of the road marking materials market.With the increase in road projects, the safety of passengers would become important, driving the consumption of road marking materials.
For instance, according to the IBEF (India Brand Equity Foundation), the Government of India has allocated $14.85 billion to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in the Union Budget 2021-22. Also, according to Refinitive, an American-British provider of financial market and infrastructure, in China, in the first quarter of 2020, the value of belt and road projects exceeded $4 trillion. Therefore, new infrastructure and roadway projects in emerging economies are driving the growth of the road marking materials market.
Technological advancements are a key trend gaining popularity in the road marking materials market.For instance, in May 2019, Geveko Markings a Denmark-based manufacturer and distributor of road marking products launched ViaTherm LongDot road marking.
It provides better visibility, noise reduction, and increased road safety. The ViaTherm LongDot has been developed in collaboration with Vejdirektoratet - the Danish Road Directorate – and several of its partners within the highways sector.
In November 2020, PPG, a US-based supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials, acquired Ennis-Flint for a deal amount of $1.15 billion. The acquisition of Ennis-Flint is expected to further expand the product offering and opportunities in rapidly developing and high-growth mobility technology solutions. The acquisition would also expand PPG’s product distribution on a global scale. Ennis-Flint is a US-based manufacturer and designer of marking materials and traffic safety products.
The countries covered in the Road Marking Materials market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.
Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06285604/?utm_source=GNW
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Blame Game: Survey says who's at fault ??? Management or union?
59.1 percent of respondents believe that the union should offer concessions to the automakers. Lastly, about half of Americans surveyed say that they are just as likely to consider a car from Detroit as they were before all this mess started.
Oh, just two more nuggets: The survey also notes that those surveyed find that "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" is the most annoying Christmas song, and 6.7 percent of respondents still believe in Santa. Amazingly, we're not kidding.
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- 2016 Holiday Gift Guide
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- Fastest-depreciating cars in the United States
- Most and least efficient car companies


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Nedbank released its interim financial results for 2016 on Monday. According to Nedbank’s presentation, total defaults at the bank increased by 10.4% in the six months to June 2016 compared to June 2015.
According to Nedbank, total defaulted advances increased to R18.437 million up from R16.695 million in June 2015. This represents 2.6% of advances up from 2.5% last year.
The bank has put this increase down to a number of factors. One of these includes “certain wholesale counters within the stressed sectors of the economy and the seasonal effects in Home Loans, MFC and Card. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) directive 7/2015, which was implemented in the second half of 2015 and requires that distressed restructures be classified as defaulted advances for a minimum period of six months after being restructured, contributed to the increase in defaulted advances.”
If the directive 7/2015 is excluded from the results, defaulted advances were R15.397 million for the six months ended June 2016.
Despite defaulted advances increasing, impairments at Nedbank declined by 4.5% to R2.211 million for the six months ended June 2016. The credit loss ration also improved during this time to 0.67% compared to 0.77% in June 2015.
According to Nedbank, the improvement in its Corporate Investment Banking impairments was “driven by a combination of oil and commodity prices stabilising at higher levels, as well as the successful settlement or restructuring of certain counters during the period.”
However, the Retail and Business Banking credit loss ratio was at the lower end of its target range. Nedbank put this down to “reduced impairments in personal loans and in business banking.”
Looking forward, Nedbank noted that economic conditions look set to remain weak. “Household credit demand will remain weak, impacted by the weak job market, softer income growth and increasing levels of consumer indebtedness due to rising cost pressures from food inflation and higher fuel prices contributing to rising debt service costs.”
Handy tip: Are you struggling with debt? You can apply for debt counselling on Justmoney.


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By Avi Salzman
Buckingham Research analyst John Zolidis downgraded his rating on Target (TGT) to Neutral from Buy today on concerns that the company’s prospects aren’t as promising for the rest of 2012.
“February comps grew 7.0% and March followed with a 7.3% increase. Favorable weather, easy comparisons, and the shift of Easter related sales together with the Pfresh roll-out, 5% rewards adoption and an improving economy contributed to the sales gains. Going forward, compares are harder and extraordinary weather may not continue. April will be hurt by the Easter shift.”
Target has also already raised its first quarter earnings guidance, so a strong earnings report may already be reflected in the stock price, Zolidis added. With the stock up 13% year to date, he urged investors to look elsewhere for more upside.


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This article first appeared in Convenience & Impulse Retailing, authored by Thomas Oakley-Newell
The Western Australian government has announced it is banning single-use plastic promotional film in outdoor settings, such as retail signage.
The ban will come into effect from March 2024 and applies to material used outdoors for less than 48 hours for promotional purposes such as retail signage and political elections. Safety bunting, such as police tape, or long-term signage are not included in the ban.
Reece Whitby, WA Environment Minister, said he is proud the state continues to lead the way in tackling plastic waste.
“We want to ensure Western Australia sets the benchmark in encouraging environmentally friendly alternatives,” Whitby said.
“This is the next step in our journey to become a more sustainable state. It’s about creating positive behavioural changes that together make a big difference.”
In a social media post, Whitby said they are not letting politicians and political parties off the hook.
“During elections, kilometres of single-use plastic is plastered across walls and fences. At the last Federal Election, WA’s political parties used up to 50 kilometres of plastic bunting. It can take hundreds of years to break down.”
WA’s Plan for Plastics has so far phased out 18 items, saving over 1.1 million single-use plastics from landfills or litter across the state each year.
The government suggested alternatives such as corflute, re-usable cloth banners and signs, wood pulp-lined board, and online promotional materials.
While regulations are yet to be finalised, the government stated it will be taking a common-sense, education-first approach in enforcing the ban, but retailers and suppliers who do not make any effort to transition or deliberately continue to supply the banned items could face fines up to $5,000 for an individual or up to $25,000 for a body corporate.